Don’t be too harsh, we are not robots

I REFER to the letters “Read question correctly” by Samuel Yesuiah and “Mistakes can be made but be accountable too” by A Concerned Parent, concerning the English SPM 2017 Paper 1 (The Star, Nov 10).

Examiners need to focus on what the exam paper is actually testing. In this case it is proficiency in the English language, that is, good vocabulary, expressions and accuracy of language as explained by Yesuiah. If a student has fulfilled these criteria he should be given an “A” irrespective of misreading the question. I agree that he should not be penalised severely and agree to the proposal not to deduct more than three points. Yesuiah gave a good example of the need to be understanding as in the Miss World pageant finals where a candidate went on the win the contest although she spoke of Mother Teresa, who had already died, when asked to speak of a living legend she admired.